[UK-CONTEST] CQWW 2004

[Dave Sergeant]

The issue of 40m and 160m bandplan flouting crops up of course every 
year. Although I can see why those who do it do so, and that there is 
very little chance of changing the situation, I firmly oppose the 
practice. It is simply bad manners to do so (nor do I condone those 
who deliberately QRM them, equally bad manners).

As a CW operator, I was not following CQWW SSB myself though. But it 
is worth saying to those who say 'go to one of the other bands' that 
after dark, when most of the out of bandplan operation took place, 
propagation meant that only 80m was available in any case. The higher 
bands were effectively closed.

During the CW leg (which I am looking forward to) I am equally aware 
that operating above 7040 (or in fact 7035 if you include the data 
chaps) is likely to upset SSB operators. As such I try to avoid 
operating up there when there is obvious SSB activity. But this is a 
grey area, as the CW band in the USA extends up to 7150 (and CW is in 
any case allowed in our bandplan). They are operating in their legal 
band segment. I would imagine in the CW contest there will be 
appreciable CW activity up to 7150 for that reason.

As pointed out, all the posts on here are from the contest community. 
You would get a less biassed response from the general amateur 
community, including the many SSB operators who are precluded from 
using ANY of their bands during contest weekends.

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com